Spanner Banner

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Spanner Banner
Birth nameJoseph Bonner
Born (1959-02-06) 6 February 1959 (age 65)
St. Andrew, Jamaica
GenresReggae, dancehall
Years activeLate 1980s–present
LabelsTechniques, Island, Heartbeat, VP, Bonner Yard Productions

Joseph Bonner, also commonly known by the nickname Spanner Banner, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician. He is one of the Bonner brothers, all of whom are reggae artists, including Pliers and Richie Spice.

Biography[edit]

Bonner was born on 6 February in 1959, in the rural area of Rock Hall, St. Andrew, Jamaica.[1] The brother of fellow reggae stars Pliers, Richie Spice, and Snatcha Lion, Bonner began his career in the late 1980s on the Bidia sound system in St. Andrew, and had hits with songs such as "Life Goes On" with producer Winston Riley.[2][3][4][5] He co-wrote Chaka Demus and Pliers' chart-topping "Tease Me", and rose to prominence himself in the mid-1990s with albums on RAS (Now and Forever) and Island Jamaica (Chill), working with Sly and Robbie on the latter.[3] He went on to release the Real Love album in 2001 on Heartbeat Records, featuring contributions from Tanya Stephens, Lady Saw, and Sean Paul among others.

After relocating to England for a few years, Bonner returned to Jamaica and found success again.[6] In 2009, he returned to the charts with the Donovan Germain-produced "Rolling Stones", and won the 'Biggest Comeback Artiste' award at the 2010 EME Awards.[4][7] In 2011 he set up the Bonner Yard Productions record label.[7]

In February 2014, he announced plans to release a new album, to be preceded by an EP in March.[8]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

  • Now and Forever (1994), RAS
  • Chill (1995), Island Jamaica
  • Lover's Story (1998), Sweet Angel
  • Real Love (2001), Heartbeat
  • Clean Up Your Actions (2008), Clive Hunt/Ugly Man
  • I'm a Winner (2009), Bonner Cornerstone/VP

Compilations[edit]

  • Life Goes On (1990), Techniques
  • Greatest Hits (2001), Jet Star

References[edit]

  1. ^ Russell, Karie (1995) "The Chillin' is Over", Reggae Report, 1995, retrieved 24 July 2014
  2. ^ McLean, Roxroy (2009) "The Bonner brothers' bond Archived 27 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine", Jamaica Gleaner, 27 October 2009, retrieved 6 September 2012
  3. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9, p. 280
  4. ^ a b "Spanner Banner hopes for 'Happiness' atop charts", Jamaica Star, 5 July 2012, retrieved 6 September 2012
  5. ^ Moskowitz, David V. (2006) Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-33158-8, p. 279-280
  6. ^ Smith, Germaine. "Spanner grips music again", Jamaica Star, 4 February 2005, retrieved 6 September 2012. Archive retrieved 28 June 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Spanner Banner Optimistic About 'Moving On'", Jamaica Gleaner, 18 July 2011, retrieved 6 September 2012
  8. ^ Brooks, Sadeke (2014) "Spanner Banner To Release EP And Album", Jamaica Gleaner, 23 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014